My cat won't use her litter box.

[risaxrened]

I've had my second cat, Jolene, since she was three months old (she's currently eight months old). I have always had a separate litter box for my first cat, Olive, yet Jolene always refuses to use hers. I've tried putting her in the litter box after she eats, and even giving her a treat when I sit her in it. I have no idea what to do to help her learn. Can someone help me?

 

[Pjg8r]

Is she using a litter box just not the one you want her to use? Cats can have a preference for location, want to cover another cat’s scent, etc. are both cats using a litter box?

 

[VintageLahni]

*Try other kinds of litter like pine pallets or cystals..
*And also, it's always better to have enough litter boxes in the house when there are multi cats.
N(number of cats) + 1 is recommended.
*Put all the litter boxes in different places

 

[risaxrened]

Is she using a litter box just not the one you want her to use? Cats can have a preference for location, want to cover another cat’s scent, etc. are both cats using a litter box?

She doesn't use any of the litter boxes.

 

[risaxrened]

*Try other kinds of litter like pine pallets or cystals..
*And also, it's always better to have enough litter boxes in the house when there are multi cats.
N(number of cats) + 1 is recommended.
*Put all the litter boxes in different places

I've tried clay and corn, and the older cat is fine with using either. I will look into the other types of litter, though.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Where does Jolene go if she is not using any litter box? The answer to that could help immensely in trying to figure out a resolution. If she is going on carpeting, or blankets, etc., you can try using puppy pee pads on the floor where she is going. If you can get her to use the pads, then you can place a pad in the lid of a good sized cardboard box, and then afterward gradually add a bit of litter over the pad. Once you've accomplished that, you can graduate her to a low sided litter box, and perhaps eventually move her to a litter box of your choice.

The other key is to use enzymatic cleaners where ever she is currently going to remove the smell of urine/feces - if she can smell it, it encourages her to continue to use those same areas over and over again.

 

[LTS3]

Take a look through these for troubleshooting:

The Litter Box From Your Cat’s Point of View

A veterinarian discusses optimal litter box management including different types of litter and litter boxes, cleaning, litter mats, and locations.

catinfo.org

Top 5 Litter Box Location Tips for Feline Bliss - TheCatSite

Discover the top 5 litter box location tips to create a feline-friendly environment and ensure your cat's blissful litter box experience.

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What's The Largest Cat Litter Box (and Why Your Cat Needs It) - TheCatSite

Find out about the largest cat litter box and why it's essential for your cat's comfort. Learn the benefits of providing space for your cat

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How To Train Kittens To Use The Litter Box [A Guide] - TheCatSite

Learn effective techniques for training kittens to use the litter box with our comprehensive guide for a successful litter box training.

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16 Experts Reveal The Most Common Litterbox Mistakes (and How To Avoid Them) - TheCatSite

Litterbox problems and litterbox avoidance are common complaints in our cat behavior forum, so we went to see what the experts think about this topic. We asked 16 leading cat experts what they thought were the common mistakes owners make when it comes to the litter box and what solutions they...

thecatsite.com